The in-person attendance was approximately 25 Rotarians.  I say approximate because my neck doesn’t swivel as fast or as far as it used to and when I did get it to help me look around the room people were always in motion and my count varied so I stuck with an average of 25.

 

Today is the National eat Ice Cream for breakfast day, and speaking of eating, it is also National Crab Stuffed Flounder day. I missed the ice cream for breakfast and crab stuffed flounder wasn’t a lunch choice here at the Indigo so after the meeting I ate a leftover Biscoff cookie from a recent flight I had taken. (In case you are curious, National Cookie Day won’t be until December 4^th).

 

Vice President Kari Petrasek opened the 32^nd meeting of the year and the 5,582^nd meeting of the Rotary Club of Everett with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Ashley Bolden’s Thought of The Day comes from Steve Jobs who said “The only way to do great work is to love what you do”.

 

There were no Rotarians or Guests visiting today.

 

Janice Ellis asked if anyone is interested, we need more volunteers to interview students for our annual scholarships.  The interviews will take place on Saturday April 26^th.

 

Past President Larry O’Donnell mentioned that long time Everett Rotarian (61 years) Chuck Macauley recently passed away at the age of 98.

 

Barbara George was excited to now have almost all the Historical Museum’s items stored at the museum’s building on Colby.  She was also excited to tell us about an exhibit at the Van Valey House featuring historical textile fabrics.

 

Krissy Davis announced that there will be an open house at the Puget Sound Kidney Centers Foundation office in Shoreline on March 12^th.  Details to follow.

 

Kari Quaas reminded us that there is a blood drive at the Elks on February 28^th and following that blood drive, also at the Elks, is a “Happy Hour” starting at 4:00 pm to

celebrate a milestone of 300 units of blood donated to date due to our clubs’ efforts.

 

Past President Neil Angst was $50.00 happy that he has leased out a portion of his building, for at least three years.

 

Walt Greenwood was happy to donate a soon to be rare all-American penny to the Rotary Club of Everett.

This penny, with a date of 2003, was then auctioned off with the winning bid of $10.00 from Heather Barnhart.

 

Rich Toyer, although not in attendance, had donated a $50.00 Home Depot Gift Card and it was auctioned off with a winning bid of $50.00 to Past President Neil.

 

Winner number 1 - Krissy Davis selected the cards and wine.

 

Winner number 2 - Clay Browse chose the bottle of Tequila.

 

Winner number 3 - Past President Larry O’Donnell took home a shirt and candy.

 

Ryan Willis introduced our own Kari Quaas whose topic was Downtown Everett.  Kari works for the City of Everett and her title is the Project Coordinator, Placemaking, and Events.

 

There are so many things to do in Everett these days!

 

Here is what falls under Kari’s leadership:

 

Wintertide - Building holiday traditions through the Wintertide tree lighting and kickoff.

 

The Wendts - The City and the Cultural Arts Commission honor artists, patrons, educators, and catalysts through the Richard and Nancy Wendt Award of Excellence and the Mayor’s Arts Award.

 

Sorticulture - Everett’s Garden Arts Festival - A three-day event held in downtown Everett celebrating the beautiful Pacific Northwest. This is held in early June.

 

Fourth of July - The City hosts the celebration with food trucks, live music, activities for the kids, and fireworks.

 

Street Tunes - For over 15 years the city has called artists to paint pianos that fill our streets with music and creativity every August.

 

Public Art - The City maintains a robust public art collection that includes sculpture, paintings, murals, pianos, mixed media, and more.

 

Grants - The City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee supports two staff members in Kari’s office that in turn provide grants and sponsorships to event hosts for marketing and operations.

 

Cultural Arts Commission - Kari’s team serves as liaisons.

 

Everett is filled with great Art/Event anchor organizations.

 

Downtown Everett Association - Planting Day on April 26^th, Spring Sip & Shop on May 1^st, Salty Sea Days on July 11^th and 12^th, Downtown Trick-or-Treating on October 25^th, and

The Annual Cookie Crawl on December 13^th.

 

Schack Art Center - Art Gallery, Venue, Art Education, “Make it Now”, Public Glassblowing Hot Shop, and much more.

 

Imagine Children’s Museum - Community access nights are Free on the third Friday of the month between 5:00pm and 9:00 pm.

 

Historic Everett Theatre - This venue opened in 1901 and today it hosts music, comedy, silent movies with organ accompaniment, and other community events.

 

Village Theatre (Everett Performing Arts Center) - Hosts Plays throughout the year.

 

Everett Art Walk - On the third Thursday of every month, except January, one can admire art at Zamarama Gallery, Salish Sea Ceramics, Port Gardner Bay Winery, Obsidian

Art Gallery, Lucky Dime Black “After Party”, and Artisan’s PNW.

 

APEX - Located at 1611 Everett Avenue, this venue houses the 1611 Restaurant, Kings Hall Everett, The Green Room, The Library, The Gatsby Room, and AMGRAF.

 

Everett Farmers Market - “Get Ready” for the season markets will be on February 23^rd, March 23^rd, and April 27^th.  The Grand Opening for the Spring through Fall season is on

May 11^th.

 

Fisherman’s Village Music Festival - Held in downtown Everett from May 15^th through the 17^th.

 

Cruzin’ To Colby Car Show - The 25^th annual show will be held on May 25^th and 26^th.

 

Normanna Lodge - Pancake Breakfast every second Saturday, Holiday Bazaar, Country Tuesday’s, and in 2026 they will host Sangerfest (Norwegian Singers).

 

Angel Of The Winds Arena - Major entertainment events throughout the year including our resident Silvertips Hockey Team.

 

Special Events this Summer - Everett Station Street Fair on June 18^th, 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament on July 12^th and 13^th, GeekFest West from July 18^th through the 20^th, Nubian Jam on July 26^th, and the Mother of all Garage Sales on August 2^nd.

 

The World Cup is Coming to Everett (sort of) - Everett will be a Fan Zone as it is located between two host cities, Vancouver, BC and Seattle.

 

Believe in Everett.

 

Vice President Kari thanked Kari Quaas and presented her with our token of appreciation.

 

Ian Saltzman, Superintendent of Everett Public Schools.

 

Vice President Kari adjourned the meeting at 12:46 pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Photography Submitted by.